MANILA: The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have joined hands to enhance the production and competitiveness of the halal industry in the Philippines.
Despite a predominantly Catholic population of nearly 120 million, with around 10 million Muslims, the country aims to expand its domestic halal sector. The government plans to attract 230 billion pesos ($4 billion) in investments and create around 120,000 jobs in the next four to five years to tap into the global halal market, valued at over $7 trillion.
The collaboration between the NCMF and DOST, along with other government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Department of Agriculture, is a strategic effort to boost the halal industry. The NCMF and DOST signed an agreement on Thursday for the establishment of halal verification laboratories by DOST.
While the Philippines has 1,835 halal-certified products, with some already exported, the country needs to develop its halal branding to enter the global market. The establishment of verification facilities is seen as a commitment to ensuring the integrity of halal production.
Yusoph Mando, the NCMF spokesperson, highlighted that this collaboration can significantly strengthen the halal industry by providing accurate and reliable methods for verifying halal certification. This, in turn, can increase consumer confidence and foster market growth for halal products.
The partnership aims to integrate scientific advancements into halal certification processes, refining testing methods to align with halal requirements. This includes detecting porcine DNA and alcohol levels in food and beverages.
The collaboration is expected to benefit Philippine halal exports and the country’s Muslim minority, promoting respect for Islamic dietary preferences and cultural practices.
Mando emphasized that a robust and reliable halal certification system contributes to economic growth by expanding markets for halal products, both domestically and internationally.
